*2*

"I'm starving," Obi said to his Master as they tucked the last blanket in on Cadi's new bunk.

"Why don't you take Cadi down to the dining hall with you to meet your friends?"

"The way we're getting along? I doubt she would agree to coming," his eyes cast out of the adjacent door to the girl sitting on the sofa. He felt his Master's eyes on him and turned to meet them. He watched as a sparkle of recognition came into them.

"I think I see what's going on here," Qui said slyly.

"Master, please," Obi pleaded abstractedly, not quite knowing what he was pleading for.

"Listen, Obi-Wan," the Master patted his Padawan on the shoulder, "there comes a time in every man's life when -"

"Oh no, Master, no need for that talk. I'm afraid you're a little late," Obi smiled at Qui. "And besides," his eyes lowered, "she's made it perfectly clear that she's not interested."

Qui chuckled softly and gave Obi the noogies, "My young Padawan, don't you see? She is *very* interested; she's merely playing hard to get."

Obi rolled his eyes, "Is she ever!"

"You just have to keep trying," Qui said, "but don't be annoying. You have to be suave about it- subtle."

"Yes, Master," Obi said. Then he caught a devilish gleam in his eye, "Shouldn't you be discouraging me? She *is* sleeping in my room tonight."

"Yes, but I know what a gentleman you are, underneath that hormonal sex-crazed imagination of yours."

"Thanks Master, now you sound like her."

"Mm, well. Run along now! Never keep a lady waiting, you know."

"Thanks, Master."

"May the Force be with you, Padawan," Qui watched intently as Obi approached the girl. As soon as their eyes met, Qui knew he was not mistaken.

"Ahm, I was wondering if you were hungry, and if you wanted to come with me to the dining hall to meet my friends?" he began working on Jedi-calming techniques.

"Are they anything like you?" her words stung him.

"It's quite a diverse crowd, actually," he tried to sound unaffected.

"Well, it's better than eating by myself," she stood and motioned for him to lead the way. Obi took a deep breath and walked.

***

Cadi's mind was racing; what were his intentions? Did he really want her to come, or was this an order from his Master? What if his friends were total assholes? What was he expecting of her? Cadi glanced at him as she damned him or being so hot.

She took a deep breath, deciding to keep acting the same way she was now. You don't care, you're not interested in him…

Cadi blanked out while Obi was giving her the names of his friends, so as far as she knew there were Blond Guy, Long Neck, Short Girl, and Stumpy.

"Everybody, this is Cadi," upon hearing her name, she waved her hand in greeting and fell into a chair. Her new buddy took the seat next to her, and Cadi fought the nervous chill that ran up her spine.

***

The Jedi calming techniques had ceased to be effective. Obi just wasn't sure how to act with her around. He could barely keep down his food. It reminded him of a Wink 136 song about first dates You make me nervous so I really can't eat

But this was *not* a date, he assured himself. In fact, she was outnumbered 5-1 at this table, Cadi was the one who should be nervous. So why did she look like she couldn't care less? She saw him looking at her and gave him a small smile When you smile I melt inside, I'm not worthy for a minute of your time

Whatsa matter, Obi? Ray, his friend and frequent sparring partner, sent to him. Obi looked up at his blond-haired comrade, Nothing, why?

Man, I know you, you're never this quiet. C'mon, you can tell me Obi knew he was right, Okay, okay. It's -

The girl? the answer was finished for him.

Is it that evident? Obi's eyes shifted to their subject of conversation, who was having a cheery conversation with Little Luna.

Sure, I mean, look at her Obi watched his friend's eyes start to wander.

Hey! he protested after a few seconds.

Sorry, sorry. But anyway, like I said, I don't blame you man

Obi sighed audibly What do you think I should do?

Take her hand was the suggestion.

No way! Are you nuts? but the song came back into his head Is it cool if I hold your hand…

Do it now, she's not even looking Ray urged. Obi bit his tongue and shifted his hand over smoothly so that it rested lightly on top of hers. But he felt her flinch and she pulled her hand up to brush back her hair. Obi's blue/green/gray eyes flashed back to his friend.

Thanks a lot, Ray

Man, she is so into you it's not even funny

How come I'm the only one who doesn't see it? Obi thought helplessly as he threw a hurt and curious look at her Are you scared of what you think?

Look, why don't you take a walk with her after we eat? It sounded like a good idea. Obi nodded slightly as the song echoed again in his head I really wish it was only me and you, I'm jealous of everybody in the room…

"Forget this, I'm out of here," Cadi's voice snapped him back to reality. Apparently, Clyde had picked an argument with her. Obi glared at his long-necked friend as he took off after Cadi.

"Your friend is an idiot," she yelled to him as he jogged to catch her.

"Nobody really likes Clyde anyway," the girl's pace did not slow for him, her swift strides moved down the hall- and then she stopped dead. Obi watched as she looked around at the unfamiliar place, and then sat down in defeat.

"I don't know where to go," she sighed begrudgingly. Obi saw his opportunity for a walk.

"Come with me," he said gently. She looked up at him with a resentful glare Please don't look at me with those eyes

"To where?" she said slowly.

"I don't know," he said honestly. She scoffed at him as he began to walk carefully.

"You're a fool," she said.

"Who's the more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him," Obi said plainly. Nevertheless, she took her place walking next to him. Obi smiled inwardly, he would remember to thank Ray.

"So do you like me now?" he asked after a long while.

"No comment," her lip twitched with her answer, Please don't hint that you're capable of lies They were silent for another long period of time. A long, long time; and before Obi knew it, he was tugging along a sleepy Cadi in his arms, wrapped in his over robe.

"Let's go home," she mumbled softly into the collar of his tunic, her breath tickling his neck.

"We're already there," he said, equally sleepy, as he hit the panel to the door of his room. He was almost glad his Master had not heard them as he untangled her arms from his neck and slid her into bed. Eyelids half shut with sleep, he managed to free her of her clothing, except for a threadbare under tunic and little pair of black shorts she'd worn under her leggings. Too tired to search for pajamas, Obi stripped himself down to his boxers and shoved his clothes in a corner. Before plopping into bed he made sure to pull Cadi's sheets around her body. Without thinking, his lips groggily brushed over hers. He felt her stir and jumped away, but all she did was roll over and mutter subconsciously, "Don't be so nice to me, Obi-Wan."

"Why not?" he whispered from his bed.

"You make it hard not to like you," it was barely intelligible, but he'd heard it. Obi smiled to himself as he lay down, scratched his belly, and drifted off to sleep.

***

Qui-Gon had indeed heard them come in, and was very proud of Obi-Wan. He was, in fact, the gentleman Qui-Gon had always known he had buried inside. Any other boy would have taken advantage of the situation, and brag to his friends about it the next day. But not his Padawan. Qui gave himself a mental pat on the back, he was a good kid. Shuffling off to bed, he wondered how much the kids would remember from tonight, and what the reactions would be in the morning…